Roof Bars Tested

As fuel prices soar, it’s crazy to drive a car bigger than you need all year just for a family holiday. There’s a range of ways to carry bulky bikes, luggage or skis on the roof, but all need a set of bars. They take minutes to fit, as more cars get fixpoints – often tiny holes in the door openings. We bolted on 12 top bars to pick the best.

Ease of use is crucial. Most bars will be removed when no longer needed, so we preferred designs that didn’t require extra tools or screws to fit to fixpoints on our 2007 Skoda Octavia test car. We also rated the instructions and ease of assembly, while locking clamps scored points. On the road, we wanted the bars to be quiet at motorway speeds. Prices exclude delivery, but cost played a minor role, as most can be easily and cheaply adapted for another car.

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